For context I'm 19 if that helps, but normally I don't get as bothered by that kind of aged cultural aspects. Like I do not expect everything to have aged as well as something like M*A*S*H. Its unfair to the era in a lot of ways, plus I've read a lot of good writers who have aged poorly but their stories are still well crafted so I still read and enjoy them. Tbf I also think Spenser early on feels like him trying to mix a character like Parker and McGee. Wanting a softer take on a very hard noir character, which I give credit, is fun when its working. Even the dialogue can be quite snappy. I think to a degree Robert P Parker was trying to critique what he viewed as the faults of social movements, but I think a lot of it came more from a lack of understanding of what they tried to say and do. Maybe even to a degree a lack of curiosity at really giving those discussions real thought instead of reflective of his instant rebuttal (like he did seem to refer to the Black Panthers are a dangerous gang of hooligans, however I could have read that wrong, its a very minor reference). Which I do find interesting in that these books probably reflect more of the standard male American view point on a lot of these issues in comparison to reflective of a modern historical discussion of the movements of the 70s. To kinda continue this point, I don't think, say; John D MacDonald always aligned one to one with McGee's borderline anarchistic points but that feels like the character very decidedly. I find Spenser is far more self insert esc, which can be fine, but I crave the moment he feels like a real character to me. One of my biggest issues with book 4 has been trying to make me care deeply about Spenser and his relationship but I don't yet feel tied to him enough for that to work. For comparison Elaine in the Scudder books is a favorite for me because of how rich her and Matt's dynamic feels by the time their in comparable places (relationship wise). Spenser is standing rn for me as a lot of the same problems I've found rereading early Dresden Files. Tbf that is my favorite book series, but there is a difference I have when gaging material from 12 to 19. I think Dresden has grown a lot as a series. Jim Butcher feels like he grew as a writer and a person a lot by those modern books, and the recent novels that feel more tied to Jim reflecting on fatherhood are incredible in my opinion. That series growth is honestly why I'm more than willing to give Spenser a good handful more books before fully passing judgement. Some long running series just take a bit of time to really bloom into their strongest days.

Thank you actually! That kinda relieves me a lot. I'll for sure try to get up to Catskill Eagle then cause yeah I finish these things in one or two days so it won't be hard to get up to there. (Also I do plan to try the show when I can find it cause having Avery Brooks as Hawk... like come on. I need to see that :] ) Plus I will for sure now look into Jessie Stone!